Hayward CA vs Thornton CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hayward, CA
California · Population: 159,201
- Median HH Income$113,775
- Median Home Price$847,838
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 142,878 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 14.5% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 9.0% | 2.2% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 5.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 37.4% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $100,985 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $41,869 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 32.2% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 31.8% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.0% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.2% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.4% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.6% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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